A2 Media Studies

Course Booklet 2016-2017

A2 Media Studies builds upon AS and will broaden and deepen your knowledge and understanding of the
important media concepts of language, audience, genre and representations.

The Course Structure

The A2 year is synoptic in that you will be expected to refer back to your AS practical work for
part of the exam at A2. Also, both parts of the A2 course are interlinked and are equally weighted
at 50%.

The Blogs
All A2 units are supported by blogs (we do not use the college Moodle). All the blogs can be
accessed through the main department website www.candimedia6.com You must get into the habit
of looking at the blogs weekly as you will find worksheets, homework, important notices and all
other relevant materials here.

Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio in Media (coursework: 50%)

As in AS, this will involve a practical production. You will produce the
promotional package for the release of a new album to include a short
promo video, and two components of a digipak. You will be required
to keep a blog, on which you will record details of your planning and
research, and will produce a short written
evaluation in response to 4 set questions. Part of
your work towards the coursework will be
assessed in the exam (see details below).

Unit G325: Critical Perspectives in Media (exam: 50%)

This unit is split into two sections. Section A relates to your practical production work during the
two years of studying A Level Media Studies. Section B relates to the theory units that you will
study during the course of the A2 year.

Exam Section A: Theoretical Evaluation of Production

Section A has two questions.
Question 1 will ask you to reflect on and evaluate your skills development over
the course of your production work, in relation to one of the following
practices: digital technology; creativity; research and planning; post-production;
using conventions from real media texts. You can discuss any of the practical
pieces that you have completed during the course of your A Level, and can
refer to work that youve completed outside of the course in your spare time.
Question 2 will ask you to pick one product that youve completed and
evaluate it in relation to a media concept out of: genre, narrative,
representation, audience or media language.

Exam Section B Contemporary Media Issues:

For Section B you will answer one question on one topic area. You will study one topic in depth
during your A2 year and will have a choice of two different questions on it in the exam. You will
have one hour to write your essay answer in the exam. This section of the exam has quite a large
theoretical component and you will be introduced to some new ideas and ways of thinking. It is
essential that you read around these topics in order to broaden your understanding. Your teachers
will be able to recommend books and you will find a book list on the associated blog page.
The topic you will study is:

Media and Collective Identity:

You will look at how contemporary media (in this case films, television and
online media) represent groups of people in different
ways. You will be focusing on representations of
teenagers. You will compare how representations have
changed over time, and will look at the social
implications surrounding different media
representations. You will be encouraged to explore
texts of your own choice and will learn about
associated theory.

Other important information

5 resource charge:
We will be collecting the 5 materials/resources charge from you during the first two weeks of
term. This 5 charge will go towards the cost of your video and photo
memory cards, will cover the cost of colour printing your ancillary work, the
cinema screening of your work and a copy of your final piece on DVD. If you
are likely to have difficulties in paying this charge then please see Rebecca in
room 315.
Media Workshop:
We run lunchtime Digital Media Workshops and at other times in
the year there will be opportunities to brush up on your written and
theory skills with Theory Workshop. Digital Media Workshops are
held throughout the week at lunchtimes in room 323 and 325 as a
drop-in session. Use these workshops to catch up on your blogging,
editing and print production work. Everyone will be expected to
attend around 8-10 of these workshops a year, and you will be registered when you attend.

The timetable for Digital Media Workshop can be found on the classroom wall.
Applying to University to study Media or Film?
If you are applying to study a Media or Film related course at University then you can get help with
your personal statement and putting your portfolio together on Wednesday afternoon in room 323.
Please email personal statement drafts before you attend to rebecca.morris@candi.ac.uk
Booking out equipment
You will need to get permission from your parents confirming that they do not mind our equipment
being in their homes if you wish to take equipment home over night, and that this equipment will be
kept in a safe place. You will be provided with a consent form that you must get signed quickly and
returned to your teacher if you wish to take out equipment over night or at the weekend.
Booking of equipment starts with a completed yellow equipment slip and, together with your
Media ID card and visit Trefor in his new room (322) to book your equipment. Remember to get
one of your teachers to sign the slip. Equipment that is booked overnight must be returned by
9.00am at the latest the following morning. Late return of equipment may result in you not
being allowed to borrow equipment out of lesson time as it could affect another group who need
the equipment after you.
You are responsible for the equipment when it is in your care, so please make sure that you look
after it. It is expensive to repair and if breakages occur you could be asked to contribute to the
cost of the repairs. Be warned!!
Mobile Telephone Numbers
It is essential that you give the college your current mobile telephone
number, as we use the college texting system to keep you informed
about lesson cancellations or changes. If you change your mobile
number during the year then it is your responsibility to change your
details on My Candi and to inform your tutor. If you dont do this
then you wont receive texts and could turn up to a lesson at 9.00am that was cancelled at
8.00am.

Teachers
A2 Media teachers live on the third floor. Youll find the following teachers in the following rooms:
Rebecca Morris (Head of Media Studies), Louisa Cunningham, Marisa Providence and Dan Lowe can
be found in room 315, and Mary Berrisford is in room 340.
Trefor Jones and Fergus Watson, our technicians, can be found in room 322
The last word:
Attendance and punctuality.
Attendance is 100% unless there are unavoidable reasons such as proven medical absence. If you
are away due to illness you will be expected to provide evidence.
Arriving late disrupts lessons, wastes time and annoys your classmates.
If you are late to your lesson it is likely you will be turned away and
asked to return at break-time/at the end of the lesson. So, be on
time.. If you are unavoidably late then we require photographic
evidence of the delay (take a photo of the delayed train on the
monitor, the crammed tube carriage that you couldnt get onto.)
Please be sensible about using your mobile phones they should not be seen or heard in the lesson
as they can disrupt your learning and that of those around you. We are allowed to confiscate any
mobiles that we see on display..